Hilton Lake Taupo (opening November, 2009)

[QF WP]

Hilton Lake Taupo will open in November, 2009

The historic Hilton Lake Taupo is one of Taupo’s architectural icons located in the Onekeke Thermal Valley, famous for its ancient pumice flows. Built in 1889, exclusively from New Zealand native timbers, the historic wing of the New Hilton Lake Taupo is one of only two remaining hotels from that era. The relaxed and friendly town of Taupo with a population of around 33,000 lies in the heart of New Zealand’s north island, on the country’s famous volcanic plateau. It hugs the east bank of the Waikato River at its outlet into Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake.


With a unique blend of historic ambience and contemporary facilities, the two distinct hotel wings provide the perfect sanctuary for your time together. The Heritage wing offers contemporary rooms within the classic surrounds of the original Terraces Hotel. Each room features private balconies offering sweeping views of Lake Taupo, Mountain ranges or the picturesque Onekeke Thermal Valley.


The Waikato Wing - Taupo's newest hotel building offers the flexibility to choose from hotel rooms to family sized apartments; providing space, facilities and privacy for all. Complete with terraces and access to the thermally heated pool, spa pool, Fitness centre and tennis courts, it is an ideal place for a one night stop over or as a base for a few days touring of the region.

Hilton Lake Taupo is the first 5 star hotel located in the Central North Island close to the Ski area - Mt Ruapehu, as well as the Trout Fishing & Sky diving capital of the world. Experience many of the local area leisure facilities such as Taupo Hot Springs, fly or boat fishing on the lake or surrounding rivers, daily sightseeing lake cruises, hiking, bungee jumping, sky-diving or enjoying a round of golf at the world-renowned Wairakei International Golf Course.


Bookings Coming Soon

Hilton Lake Taupo will take accommodation bookings shortly.


As a member of the Hilton Premium Club enjoy your membership benefits including 20% off accommodation, room charges and food and beverage at the restaurants and bars.

Damn, I am so there! We loved Lake Taupo when we drove past it last year and were disappointed that we hadn't organised a night or two, so we want to visit in the future - this gives me all the reasons in the world to book a room (and organise a holiday).

 

[superchris]

This is the rebadging and reopening of the failed Terraces Hotel.They have opened a new wing to enlarge the Hotel from 113 rooms to 149.
Should be worth a visit when driving thru but my favourite is :

New Zealand Luxury Lodge & Luxury Accommodation | Huka Lodge

 

[BiziBB]

This is the rebadging and reopening of the failed Terraces Hotel.They have opened a new wing to enlarge the Hotel from 113 rooms to 149.
Should be worth a visit when driving thru but my favourite is :

New Zealand Luxury Lodge & Luxury Accommodation | Huka Lodge

Thanks for the additional info.

We drove past this hotel (hard to miss), at the final turn to/from the lake, on the highway south. Plenty of signage advertising it is a Hilton.

However, there are plenty of new or very nice looking accommodations directly on the lake side or on the opposite site of the lake road.

I highly, highly recommend the desert road south, at least the more southern end's windy bits, for anyone interested in some twisty roads.

HPC's e-mail to members is seeking expressions of interest.

I would love to hook up with a travel media editor to do this story.*
(in the networking, not bedworking sense*)

 

[QF WP]

This is the rebadging and reopening of the failed Terraces Hotel.They have opened a new wing to enlarge the Hotel from 113 rooms to 149. Should be worth a visit when driving thru

Thanks for the background superchris

but my favourite is :
New Zealand Luxury Lodge & Luxury Accommodation | Huka Lodge

I nearly choked when I read the package prices. Out of my league

 

[munitalP]

When driving down from Auckland, as you pass through Ngaruwahia, Highway 39 turns off to the right. Take this road until you reach the turning to you left to Te Awamutu. Carry on through until a small town called Kihikihi. About half way through town, turn left on the Arapuni road. Follow this road through some awesome rock formations and stay on it till you get to the Rotongata Rd turn off.

Turn right (it’s actually a T intersection) and follow this road through Arohena all the way to Waipapa (Hydro dam). This road winds and twists along the Waikato river and was originally an access road for the hydro construction. Make sure you have a look at the Maraetai hydro stations from the top and the bottom then carry on to Whakamaru, across the dam top to the intersection of highway 30 and 32. Turn right onto 30 and carry on down the river until you reach the intersection of highway 1. Turn right to carry on normally to Taupo.

This will add approx 1 hour driving time with no stops – beware, the roads can get V icy during winter, but predictable.

Another variance to this route is to turn right onto highway 32 at Whakamaru until you get to Poihipi Rd (school on the corner from memory) and follow this road through to Taupo as well – this will add an additional 35 minutes with no stops.

If you really like driving, don’t take the Poihipi Rd, stay on 32 until you reach the junction of 32/41. Turn left and follow this road up over the smoking cliffs and down into Tokaanu. I recommend stopping there for a swim in a private mineral hot pool – V good... Carry on along 41 to Turangi, and turn left onto highway 1 back to Taupo. This will add approx an additional 3 hours to the trip from first leaving the beaten track.

You will see perhaps some of NZ’s most stunning (Nth Island at least) scenery through these roads IMHO


Mr!

 

[QF WP]

Awesome information munitalP. Pity Mrs LW gets carsick from the winding roads. Bugga, will have to do by myself